The value of community psychiatric services for the elderly’s dementia caregiver group: Exploring the perspectives of participants
Community Psychiatric Services for the Elderly (CPSE) at a large teaching hospital in Toronto has offered a monthly support group for caregivers of persons with dementia for over 30 years. Participants were surveyed in January 2018 about group attendance, benefits of attending the group, and areas for improvement. Results are shared in this case study. A total of 8 participants responded to the survey with a response rate of 47%. The feedback was predominantly positive. The most prevailing theme that emerged from the survey responses was group members’ appreciation for the opportunity to meet with one another to discuss relevant issues and gain support from the facilitator and each other. Feedback from the survey also revealed opportunities for improvement on how the group could be better facilitated to elicit more equal participation from all group members. Formally assessing the value of the group from the perspectives of participants confirmed that the group is a safe place for dementia caregivers to get support and a valuable way to access knowledge from dementia care experts. COVID-19 has fostered evolution of the group from in-person to virtual meeting, opening opportunities for more feedback from members to help create the future of the dementia caregiver support group.
Related content
-
Patient Family & Community Engagement | Staff & Provider Engagement
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Patient Relations (Part 1)
The Patient Relations department assesses and resolves complex patient issues related to customer service, billing, and patient care daily by researching errors and patient issues and finding the proper solution to satisfy the needs of the patient and their care partners. Individuals possessing a high emotional intelligence (EI) quotient can use their emotions as a
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
Consumers’, Family Members’, and Health Practitioners’ Perspectives on Increasing Activity Engagement of Older Patients Admitted to Geriatric Hospital Units
The aim of this study was to explore the perspective of consumers, family members, and health practitioners on increasing patient activity engagement in a Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) Unit. This study followed a qualitative phenomenology approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim with consenting patients (n = 12), family members (n =
Learn more -
Patient Family & Community Engagement
“You May Not Appreciate This Now, But You May Later”: A Qualitative Analysis of the Impact and Meaning of Legacy Interventions as Defined by Bereaved Parents
The death of a child is a significant event that affects the family system. Families of dying children need comprehensive support to help them cope with their trauma and loss. However, there is little research that examines parental preferences and grieving support needs. This study explored bereaved parent mentors’ perspectives on legacy interventions to identify
Learn more